[Marxism] CUBA EMBARGO FOES find new ammunition: oil and China. (WSJ)

["Walter Lippmann" <walterlx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Seems like everything is coming up roses today! Maybe some brave and
progressive member of Congress will put up a resolution to amend the
Cuban Adjustment Act to become the Immigrant Adjustment Act as my friend
Tom Miller has suggested? Anti-gay marriage was shot down in the Senate.
Rupert Murdoch is helping to raise funds for Billary Klinton. And then:

U.S. big business, in the form of the oil companies, today are trying to
engage in what they do best: making money through investments, but under
Washington's rules, U.S. oil companies are denied their right to partake
of the open Cuban market to which they have been invited by the Communist
government of Castro's Cuba. Think of the irony here and join in song...

When I read this in today's Wall Street Journal I couldn't help thinking
about the wonderful old movie "Cabaret" and that great song about plata
[plata is the Spanish word for "silver", and Cuban slang for money]:

        Money makes the world go round
        The world go round, the world go round
        Money makes the world go round
        It makes the world go round

        A mark, a yen, a buck or a pound
        A buck or a pound, a buck or a pound
        Is all that makes the world go round
        That clinking, clanking sound
        Can make the world go round

        Money, money, money, money
        Money, money, money, money
        Money, money, money, money, money
        http://libretto.musicals.ru/text.php?textid=57&language=1
================================================================

CUBA EMBARGO FOES find new ammunition: oil and China.

Castro's government is awarding offshore drilling concessions to
companies from China and elsewhere. Rep. Flake of Arizona and Sen.
Craig of Idaho, both Republicans, propose allowing U.S. companies to
compete on economic and energy security grounds.

Opponents hope to block exploration. U.S. Geological Survey says up
to nine billion barrels of oil may lie beneath water off Cuba's
Northern Shore.

That's comparable to some estimates of oil beneath Arctic Refuge.
==================================================================

June 9, 2006
WASHINGTON WIRE
Immigration Debate Drifts From Bush
By JOHN HARWOOD June 9, 2006; Page A4

IMMIGRATION DEBATE DRIFTS away from Bush.

Even before Bilbray's tough talk helped him win San Diego House seat,
lawmakers felt rising constituent pressure to crack down on border
security. Republicans in both House and Senate mull possibility of
passing security-only bill before midterm elections.

"I don't see how it comes out of conference in that form," says an
adviser to McCain, who like Bush backs "comprehensive" border and
guest-worker bill. White House officials believe House may accept
guest-worker plan for future immigrants that's silent on 12 million
illegals already here.

Business groups prepare to back separate visa increase for "skilled
workers" if broader bill stalls.

DEMOCRATS FIND mixed results beyond California special election.

Victory in Montana Senate primary by farmer-politician Jon Tester
boosts party's hopes of defeating Republican incumbent Burns. In that
red state, Democratic turnout of 106,000 exceeded balloting in
primary renominating Burns.

But Democrats were disappointed by primary in California House race
against Republican Rep. Pombo. Pilot Steve Filson, viewed by
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as strongest election
challenger, lost badly to business executive Jerry McNerney.
DCCC-preferred candidates earlier lost primaries in key Kentucky and
Ohio races.

CUBA EMBARGO FOES find new ammunition: oil and China.

Castro's government is awarding offshore drilling concessions to
companies from China and elsewhere. Rep. Flake of Arizona and Sen.
Craig of Idaho, both Republicans, propose allowing U.S. companies to
compete on economic and energy security grounds.

Opponents hope to block exploration. U.S. Geological Survey says up
to nine billion barrels of oil may lie beneath water off Cuba's
Northern Shore.

That's comparable to some estimates of oil beneath Arctic Refuge.

NEXT STEP? After Senate defeat of gay-marriage ban, some on religious
right debate seeking the requisite 34 states needed to call a
constitutional convention. While backers say a push would prod
Congress and provide hope to dispirited conservatives, one movement
strategist terms the idea "a bit kooky."

SUPPORTING SCOOTER: Ex-Cheney aide Mary Matalin hosts $500-a-head
June 20 reception for Libby's defense fund. A flier for the event
says $5,000 co-hosts include former Commerce Secretary Don Evans,
former Energy Secretary Spence Abraham, and Bush political ad-man
Mark McKinnon.

THAT WAS THEN: While White House has distanced itself from Abramoff,
a March 2003 invitation lists press secretary Tony Snow as "Master of
Ceremonies" at fund-raiser for the lobbyist's Capital Athletic
Foundation. Snow has "no recollection" of the event but did charity
appearances while at Fox News. "I don't think I've even met"
Abramoff, Snow says.

RISING EXPECTATIONS: WSJ.com survey of Wall Street economists finds,
by three to one, they expect Paulson to have more policy sway than
Treasury predecessors. "Paulson won't just read the script, he will
write it, too," says one. Two-thirds expect his environmentalism to
have "some" effect on administration.

DATA HEIST fuels identity-theft bills.

Spurred by theft of personal information about millions of active and
former military personnel, House may vote next week on measures from
Financial Services and Energy and Commerce panels. They differ over
how much discretion to give companies in handling privacy breaches.

Vulnerable Republican Rep. Pryce of Ohio says businesses know best
when consumers should be told, an approach Democrat Schakowsky of
Illinois calls "don't know, don't tell." As Senate leaders seek
consensus, Republican Frist rebuffs Democrat Feinstein's attempt to
move her breach-notification bill.

Tort treat: One lawsuit seeks $1,000 plus free credit monitoring for
each veteran affected.

MINOR MEMOS: Rupert Murdoch raises money for Hillary Clinton's Senate
re-election bid, but his British satellite network cancels show by
Bill Clinton's State Department spokesman Jamie Rubin. Criticizing
Bush's outreach to Iran, maverick political blogger Marshall Wittmann
says "the right was right...[I] voted for Kerry and we have just
offered the store to the mullahs."




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